Cover for biohazard waste collection containers

ABSTRACT

A biohazard container cover may be used to cover a biohazard container, such as a biohazard collection box. The biohazard container cover may include a panel and bumpers extending from a bottom surface of the panel to prevent lateral movement of the panel on the biohazard container. The biohazard container cover may also include a handle extending from the panel to remove the cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/637,822, filed on Dec. 21, 2004, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to biohazard waste collection containers and more particularly, to a cover for a biohazard waste collection box.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and other medical facilities generate medical waste and should properly dispose of that waste. Usually, medical waste including sharps (e.g., syringes, hypodermic needles, and scalpel blades) and solid or semi-solid waste (e.g., used gloves, bandages, and IV tubing) must be stored temporarily on-site while awaiting proper disposal. Medical waste is typically stored in large biohazard collection boxes (e.g., 40 lbs.) lined with plastic biohazard collection bags. The plastic biohazard collection bags are generally sealed after they are filled.

Until a biohazard collection bag is filled, however, it remains unsealed in the collection box. The biohazard collection bag itself may remain open or may be loosely folded in an attempt to form some semblance of closure. In many cases, the medical waste in the open or loosely closed biohazard collection bags can develop odors that may permeate the temporary storage site and may be offensive to personnel required to work in the general area. Also, these containers should be covered pursuant to an OSHA requirement governing blood borne pathogens. Further, an open biohazard collection container may allow particulates into the surrounding environment.

Accordingly, what is needed is a cover for temporarily covering biohazard waste collection containers while in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a biohazard container cover and a biohazard waste collection box, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side partially cross-sectional view of the biohazard container cover shown in FIG. 1 on the biohazard waste collection box.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a biohazard container cover, consistent with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the biohazard container cover shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the biohazard container cover shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a biohazard container cover 100 may be used to temporarily cover a biohazard waste collection container 102, such as a biohazard waste collection box. A liner bag 104 (shown in FIG. 2) may be located inside the biohazard container 102 and folded over the sides of the container 102. Consistent with one embodiment, the biohazard waste collection container 102 may have a capacity in a range of about 40 lbs or greater. Although the exemplary embodiment shows a biohazard waste collection box, those skilled in the art will recognize that the biohazard container covers described herein may be used to cover biohazard waste collection containers of various configurations and sizes.

One embodiment of the biohazard container cover 100 may include a panel 110 having a top surface 112 and a bottom surface 114. The cover 100 may include bumpers 120 extending from the bottom surface 114 of the panel 110. The bumpers 120 are located to restrict lateral movement of the biohazard container cover 100 when positioned on the biohazard waste collection container 102. The biohazard container cover 100 may also include a handle 130 extending from the top surface 112 of the panel 110 to allow the cover 100 to be removed from the biohazard waste collection container 102.

One embodiment of the panel 110 maybe rectangular or square shaped and may include side edges 116 a, 116 b and front and back edges 118 a, 118 b. In one example, the panel 110 may have a length and width of at least about 20 inches and more particularly of about 21 inches. The panel 110 may be made from a transparent material allowing users to determine if the biohazard container 102 can accept more waste or if it is full and needs to be sealed. The panel 110 may be made from an acrylic or a synthetic resin material including, but not limited to, polycarbonate or PMMA materials known under the names LEXAN or PLEXIGLASS. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the panel 110 may be fabricated from other materials or with other shapes and dimensions appropriate for collection containers of various sizes.

According to one embodiment of the biohazard container cover 100, the bumpers 120 may include pegs 122 a-122 d extending from the bottom surface 114 of the panel 110. The pegs 122 a-122 d may be spaced from the edges 116 a, 116 b, 118 a, 118 b such that, when the cover 100 is positioned on the container 102, some of the pegs 122 a, 122 b are positioned outside of the container 102 and some of the pegs 122 c, 122 d are positioned inside of the container 102 (see FIG. 2). Exterior pegs 122 a, 122 b may be spaced from the side edges 116 a, 116 b by a distance d₁ and interior pegs 122 c, 122 d may be spaced from the sides 116 a, 116 b by a distance d₂ (see FIG. 3). The distance d₁ may be less than the distance d₂ such that spaces are formed between the pegs 122 a, 122 c and the pegs 122 b, 122 d to receive sides of the collection container 102. In one example, exterior pegs 122 a, 122 b maybe spaced from the side edges 116 a, 116 b by a distance d₁ of about 0.5 inches and from the front edge 118 a by a distance d₃ of about 4.5 inches, and interior pegs 122 c, 122 d may be spaced from the sides 116 a, 116 bby a distance d₂ of about 2.5 inches and from the rear edge 118 b by a distance d₄ of about 1.88 inches. Although four pegs 122 a-122 d are shown, other numbers of pegs may be used to prevent lateral movement of the cover 100 on the container 102. The positioning of the bumpers 120 allows the cover 100 to fit various sizes of containers.

According to one embodiment, the pegs 122 a-122 d may be made of an acrylic material and are solvent bonded to the bottom surface 114 of the panel 110. Bumpers 120 may also be constructed from other materials including, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, and/or synthetic resin material. Bumpers 120 may also be coupled to the bottom surface 114 of the panel 110 using other adhesive materials or using thermal or ultrasonic bonding techniques. Alternatively, bumpers 120 may be coupled to the bottom surface 114 of the panel 110 using fasteners, for example, but not limited to screws, bolts, and/or rivets. In another exemplary embodiment, bumpers 120 may be integrally formed as part of the panel 110, for example, as one piece.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the bumpers may have various other sizes, shapes and locations. For example, the bumpers may be elongated, extending along at least a portion of an edge. Elongated bumpers may be about the same length as the adjacent edge or shorter than the length of the adjacent edge. Elongated bumpers may be separated or connected to another bumper along another edge (e.g., bumpers may form a square shape corresponding to the sides of a collection box). Bumpers may be located on the panel 110 such that the bumpers are positioned outside and/or inside of the biohazard container 102 when the cover 100 is positioned on the biohazard container 102. Bumpers may also be located on the panel 110 such that the bumpers are spaced from the sides of the biohazard container 102 or in contact with one or more sides of the biohazard container 102.

The handle 130 may include a bar 132 coupled to the top surface 112 of the panel 110. According to one embodiment, the bar 132 may be made of an aluminum, steel, or other rigid material and may be coupled the panel 110 using one or more legs 134 a, 134 b. The legs 134 a, 134 b may be threaded into the bar 132, and threaded fasteners 136 a, 136 b may pass through the panel 110 and into the legs 134 a, 134 b. The legs 134 a, 134 b may provide spacing sufficient for a user to grab the bar 132 and lift the cover 100.

Alternatively, the handle 130 may include a knob or other structure that may be gripped to allow the cover 100 to be manipulated. The handle 130 may also be formed from other rigid materials including, but not limited to, a stiff wire, rubber, plastic, and/or synthetic resin material or from a compliant material including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, or vinyl tubing such as the type sold under the name TYGON, and/or soft plastic strapping. The handle 130 may also be coupled to the panel 110 using, for example, screws, bolts, and/or rivets. The handle 130 may also be coupled to the panel 110 using a hinge (not shown) constructed from, for example, but not limited to, plastic, metal, or synthetic resin material.

In use, the biohazard container cover 100 may be placed over the biohazard waste collection container 102 containing the open biohazard collection bag, thereby sealing the open biohazard collection bag and preventing odors and particulate matter from escaping the open bag. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel 110 generally sits on a top edge of the container 102 and extends past the sides of the biohazard container 102. The cover 100 may be positioned such that the sides of the container 102 are received between the bumpers 120 (e.g., pegs 122 a-122 d) on the panel 110, which prevents the cover 100 from sliding laterally off of the biohazard waste collection container 102. Additionally, the panel 110 and the pegs 122 a-122 d may secure the biohazard collection bag 104 to the biohazard waste collection container 102.

The biohazard collection bag 104 may still be accessible to allow medical waste to be placed in the collection box by grasping the handle 130 and lifting the biohazard container cover 100 to open the biohazard container 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle 130 may be used to lift the front portion of the cover 100 while the pegs 122 c, 122 d contact a rear side of the container 102 such that the cover 100 pivots upwardly to provide access to the container 102. The biohazard container cover 100 may be closed after additional waste is added to the container 102. When the biohazard container 102 is full, the biohazard container cover 100 may be removed entirely to allow the bag 104 to be sealed for proper disposal. The biohazard container cover 100 may then be cleaned and reused on another container.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, another embodiment of the biohazard container cover 200 may include a door 240 coupled to a panel 210. The door 240 covers an opening through the panel 210, which allows medical waste to be placed in the collection box without completely removing the cover 200. This embodiment of the biohazard container cover 200 may also include pegs 222 a-222 d (or other bumpers) and a handle 230, for example, as described above.

One embodiment of the door 240 may have a bi-fold configuration including first and second door sections 242, 244. The first door section 242 may be coupled to the panel 210 using one or more hinges 246 a, 246 b coupled to a hinge support 247. The second door section 244 may be coupled to the first door section 242 using one or more hinges 248 a, 248 b. The panel 210, door sections 242, 244, hinges 246 a, 246 b, 248 a, 248 b, and hinge support 247 may be made of an acrylic material or other suitable material. A handle 250, such as a knob, may be coupled to the door 240 to allow a user to open the door 240 and gain access to the opening in the panel 210.

In use, the biohazard container cover 200 may be positioned on a biohazard waste collection container in the manner described above. Using this embodiment of the biohazard container cover 200, the door 240 may be opened to access the container and add waste materials to the container. The entire cover 200 may be removed when the container is ready for proper disposal.

In summary, a biohazard container cover, consistent with embodiments of the present invention, may be used to cover temporarily a biohazard waste collection container. Consistent with one embodiment, a biohazard container cover includes a panel having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of bumpers located on the bottom surface. The bumpers may be positioned and spaced such that the bumpers prevent lateral movement of the cover while positioned on a biohazard container. The cover may also include a handle coupled to the panel.

Consistent with another embodiment, a method includes placing a biohazard collection bag inside a collection box and positioning a biohazard container cover over an opening of the collection box. The biohazard container cover sits on a top edge of the collection box and is prevented from lateral movement on the collection box but is capable of being removed from the collection box.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims. 

1. A biohazard container cover comprising: a panel having top and bottom surfaces; a plurality of bumpers located on said bottom surface of said panel, said bumpers being positioned and spaced such that said bumpers prevent lateral movement of said cover while positioned on a biohazard container; and a handle coupled to said panel.
 2. The biohazard container cover of claim 1 wherein said panel is made of a transparent material.
 3. The biohazard container cover of claim 1 wherein said panel is made of acrylic.
 4. The biohazard container cover of claim 1 wherein said bumpers comprise: at least first and second pegs at one end of said panel and positioned at a first distance from sides of said panel; at least third and fourth pegs at an opposite end of said panel and positioned at a second distance from said sides of said panel; and wherein said first distance is less than said second distance such that said first and second pegs are configured to be positioned inside of said container and said third and fourth pegs are configured to be positioned outside of said container.
 5. The biohazard container cover of claim 4 wherein said panel has a length and width of at least about 20 inches.
 6. The biohazard container cover of claim 1 further comprising a door pivotably coupled to said panel to allow access through said panel.
 7. The biohazard container cover of claim 6 wherein said door comprises first and second door sections pivotably coupled together.
 8. The biohazard container cover of claim 6 wherein said door comprises a handle.
 9. The biohazard container cover of claim 6 wherein said bumpers comprise: at least first and second pegs at one end of said panel and positioned at a first distance from sides of said panel; at least third and fourth pegs at an opposite end of said panel and positioned at a second distance from said sides of said panel; and wherein said first distance is less than said second distance such that said first and second pegs are configured to be positioned inside of said container and said third and fourth pegs are configured to be positioned outside of said container.
 10. The biohazard container cover of claim 6 wherein said panel and said door are made of a transparent material.
 11. The biohazard container cover of claim 1 wherein said handle includes a bar coupled to said top surface of said panel.
 12. A method of temporarily closing a biohazard collection box, the method comprising: placing a biohazard collection bag inside a collection box; and positioning a biohazard container cover over an opening of said collection box, wherein said biohazard container cover sits on a top edge of said collection box, and wherein said biohazard container cover is prevented from lateral movement on said collection box but is capable of being removed from said collection box.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said biohazard container cover comprises a panel having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of bumpers located on said bottom surface, and wherein positioning said biohazard container cover includes positioning said bumpers such that said bumpers prevent lateral movement of said cover while positioned on said biohazard collection box.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said biohazard container cover includes a plurality of pegs, and wherein positioning said biohazard container cover includes positioning sides of said biohazard collection box between at least two of said pegs.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said biohazard container cover includes a door pivotably coupled to said panel to cover an opening in said panel, and further comprising opening said door to dispose of materials into said biohazard collection box. 